Abby's

Volume 4 Issue 3

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e rhyme of e Ancient Mariner (1798) reads, "Water, water everywhere…not a drop to drink." In modern America, we may feel the same way, except we would say, "Food, food everywhere, not a bite to eat". I have a vivid memory during my childhood of a life size cardboard silhouette of a child. One half of the child was filled with pictures of natural foods; the other half was pictures of candy, fast food and soda. It simply said, "You are what you eat." If we accept the premise that what we eat determines our health, then we wouldn't be surprised with the results of a nation that eats so poorly and moves so little. "Chronic diseases afflict nearly half of all Americans and causes three out of four deaths in the United States. Most tragically, these diseases, formerly the purview of the very old, now strike our children and those in the prime of life." Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon. Malnutrition oen brings on images of the poor in third world countries, maybe even the poor in America. Unfortunately malnutrition in America is among the poor, middle class and the wealthy in America. Some are hoping to avoid disease, others are hoping to be healed from a current diagnoses. e effects of malnutrition go beyond physical. It affects our drive, ability to learn, behavior and ability to procreate. Let's create a vision for ourselves and our families that is filled with strength, joy and purpose. Let's create some habits that will help us overcome the obsta- cles that can easily trip us up on our quest for a strong healthy family. Here is some sage advice from a mom that has four kids (13-27 years). I am old school. My unconventional ad- vice will take you closer to your goal than you might think! 1. My first advice to mothers of younger children is to change your paradigm. I grew up just one generation before you. In my world, kids were injury free, rarely sick; mental disabilities, learning disabilities and food allergies were virtually unheard of. I encourage you to believe that there are solutions. Simply said, you may be in a place you have to work yourself out of, but know and believe that a strong and healthy family is possible for you. If you have any doubt, let me repeat it. Our quest should be strong healthy families; not good insurance and good treatments methods. 2. It's time for tough love. Stop catering to your kids. Parents need to remember they are parents; we know and understand beyond what our children are capable of. We need to stop being short order cooks and rewarding with food. Prepare a nutritious meal for the family, and have each member eat a portion of everything served, without picking through it. (e only exception is those with food allergies.) I do allow each of my children to not "like one food". Not one per meal, but one, and just one. Page 20 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com

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